Thoughts And Musings
Hello friends. It’s been awhile, I know. But that’s what having surgery will do to you. Everything went well, and I was out of the hospital in 36 hours (modern medicine is amazing). I’m pretty much 100% and by the end of the weekend I will be. Once again, I love modern medicine.
I do a feature called Thoughts And Musings on my other blog, GiantsGab, and while it’s a shameless plug, it gets great reaction there, so here we are. Let’s do it: Thoughts And Musings, post-surgery style.
-I think people will stop hating the Derek Boogaard signing when he protects Hank in the crease. Look, the years are long, but the money isn’t much, and he’s only 28. Besides, his nickname is The Boogeyman. I mean, c’mon people! The Boogeyman!
-Steve Eminger was a shrewd pickup. I heard about it from my cousin who was visiting me in the hospital, and it took my post-anesthesia, morphine induced haze a little while to realize who he was, but when I did, I realized he’s going to be a good player. Solid defensively, willing to take the body, block shots. He’s a perfect 3rd pairing. I don’t want to say this is the end of Wade Redden, but it’s looking that way. Potential defense corp:
Staal-Girard
Rosival-Del Zotto
McDonagh/Gilroy-Eminger
Not bad. Not bad at all.
-I think we can expect a big jump offensively from Anisimov. He showed flashes of brilliance, and I think by the end of the season, you saw him start to get more comfortable. Big things from AA this year.
-Same with Dubinsky and Callahan. You can only expect them to keep growing and developing.
-Things That I Remembered Wrong From My Childhood interlude: When did Chips Ahoy cookies become bad? They used to taste good, right?
-My very early stab at lines:
Dubinsky-Christensen-Gaborik
Avery-AA-Callahan
Prospal-Drury-Grachev
Boogaard-Boyle-Prust
-Camp is going to change all those lines
-The real issue: Is Dubinsky a wing or center? If he’s a wing, then there isn’t an excess of centers. If he is a center, then Drury is a fourth liner, and Boyle is on the bench. Decisions, decisions.
-Let’s get Staal signed, umkay Slats?
-I consider MZA a midseason call-up. Which isn’t bad thing.
-I think Grachev and MZA could be switching places.
-I can’t wait for Marty Biron. Besides finally having a French-Canadian presence on the team, it’s nice to have a quality backup for Hank.
-I think this team will be picked to finish towards the bottom of the East, but they’re going to surprise. Just a hunch.
-Food interlude: When you’re post surgery, the only thing you’re in the mood for is toast with butter. And it’s amazing. Seriously. Completely under appreciated meal.
-Last thing: If the Rangers don’t make the playoffs, Torts will be fired.
By Jurgenno88, July 17, 2010 @ 10:11 am
Hey Jeremy glad it all went well?
You think its as cut and dry that if Rangers dont get in Torts is gone? I think it totally depends on youth development and the way the team plays. If they win a megre 29-35 games, yes he’s gone. but if its close finish i think he may be safe.
Brian Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I agree with Jurgenno, I think the progression of our younger players should be the benchmark by which Torts should be evaluated by. If they miss the playoffs but AA, Dubinsky, Boyle, MDZ and Gilroy improve significantly then he might stay.
Considering the young roster that we will have this year and with Stepan, MZA, McDonagh, Grachev, Kreider on the horizon we need a coach who is able to properly develop young players and alter his coaching tactics to fit the player.
I wanted Torts here when it became apparent that Renney had lost the team, but now I am not convinced that he is the right man for the job. As discussed earlier this year is crucial.
barnaby36 Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
My big complaint about Torts is is use or lack of Sean Avery. Sean is a high impact speed winger, who has a huge upside when under control. we all know he made the Caps series painful but the team cleaned up after him. Sean didn’t lose that series for us, him not playing did. Torts fault.
H is to quick to pull the plug and that will be his downfall with the youth when they make mistakes,
look at Gilroy from last year.
Wade makes him look bad and he takes the hit.
hard to play D when you are alone out there.
By brian, July 17, 2010 @ 10:57 am
dubi is more valuable as a center
Jurgenno88 Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 11:02 am
im not so sure Brian. I think we’re lucky to have a guy that can play both spots well. That’ll be good if he’s signed long term given the prospects coming through.
I have no qualms having Dubi as a winger if Stepan, AA and Werek are at center long term
Dave Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
WTF is a jurgenno?
Jurgenno88 Reply:
July 18th, 2010 at 11:01 am
A jurgenno? i dont know! Dave keeps calling me jurgenno but its actually jurgen, no, 88. Jurgen is one of my many nicknames, 88 is the Big e’s number and my house number…. nothing interesting!
By Fotiu is God, July 17, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
Dubi’s far more comfortable at center. Keep him paired with Cally; they should pot 50 between them.
Dane Byers or Dupont, both bangers with size, should be given a shot opposite these two franchise cornerstones.
Jurgenno: “29 to 35 wins”? With the Rockettes in front of him Hank’s good for 35 wins.
We’re a .500-club this year; once the kids rotate in then we have to see how Torts reacts and mentors. Mike Sullivan’s role-presence grows significantly as the season progresses.
Jurgenno88 Reply:
July 18th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Fotiu; i agree we’ll win more than 29-35 games my point was if we did only win that amount Torts would be gone. I too see us as a .500 club this year.
I’d also like to see Dupont get a crack at a spot too.
By Dave, July 17, 2010 @ 1:57 pm
Good to see you’re doing well Jeremy.
I don’t think Grachev makes the team, I think that spot is Weise’s to lose actually.
By Bettman's Nightmare, July 17, 2010 @ 5:13 pm
Glad to see all is okay.
Agreed on the Biron signing, but I think I felt the same way about the Brashear signing last year…
Bettman's Nightmare Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
In terms of the Boogaard comment, I mean…
By becky, July 18, 2010 @ 1:46 am
When you think toast and butter is good and chips ahoy is bad, I think that’s how you know you’re old. Glad to see you back and well!